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Ask The Pastor
January 22, 2001
Krystal,
You said:
> If this is not too general of a question, I
wondered if you could
> explain "speaking in tongues" to me I am a person in search, and
> need some ones help to help me understand the doctorines of the
> Pentecostal Church. I hope you can help set me straight!!!!!!
I'll try to provide some information that hopefully will help.
First you need to understand the issue of speaking in tongues as it
relates to the Scriptures. This requires us to go to the prophets.
The Lord spoke through Isaiah, and said, "Indeed, He will speak to
*this* people through stammering lips and a foreign tongue, He who
said to them 'Here is rest, give rest to the weary,' and, 'Here is
repose,' but they would not listen." (Cf. Isaiah 28:11,12)
Pentecostals often use this Scripture to validate their doctrine of
speaking in tongues. But this is a misuse of Scripture. The
prophecy of Isaiah was directed to Jewish people. Its fulfillment
took place on the day of Pentecost, or, 50 days after the
resurrection of Jesus Christ.
The day of Pentecost saw the gatherings of myriads of Jewish
peoples from the nations. Pentecost 33 ad, was particularly
significant in that the Jewish peoples were conscious of the Daniel
prophecy concerning the coming of Messiah, and that the time was
right. The city of Jerusalem was filled to overflowing with Jewish
pilgrims from all the nations. These pilgrims spoke the languages
of the nations from which they came. (Hebrew was not commonly
used by the diaspora; the scattered people of Israel.)
And so the prophet said that God would speak to *this* people in
foreign tongues. I place an emphasis on *this* people because
Isaiah's prophecy was addressed to Jews.
Now the point - The prophet was not saying that speaking in other
languages would be the rest. Speaking in foreign tongues was to
direct the people to the One who said, "Here is rest!" The One who
said, 'Here is rest,' was Jesus Christ.
If you recall, Jesus said, "Come to Me, all who are weary and
heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you
and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you
will find rest for your souls." (Matthew 11:28,29)
And so on the Day of Pentecost, the peoples began hear these
Jewish men and women declaring the works of God in their native
languages. It was this speaking in foreign languages that brought
the crowds attention. It was nothing less that a sovereign act of
God. When their attention was fully in place, then Peter began to
preach the gospel of Jesus Christ. Out of this event several
thousands of Jewish people came to the cross.
That is the background. The Acts of the Apostles covers about 35
years of mission work. Speaking in other languages is only noted
three times. Each event would yet relate to the Isaiah prophecy.
The early Church did at times manifest this particular gift, but it
eventually became less focused. Paul said this would happen.
Through the Church age the Lord would use the particular gift
for a particular reason.
To make things short - What pentecostals and charismatics today
teach concerning speaking in tongues is not true Biblical teaching.
Never in the history has this gift received such an emphasis as is
being given today.
The result of this overemphasis is that the larger part of
speaking in tongues today is most likely not true Biblical
tongues, but, rather, learned behavior. Since I have some
background with the pentecostal and charismatic movement, I
am able to speak from both experience and from knowledge.
I hope this has helped you a little. Let me know if you wish to
talk about this further.
In Christ,
Buddy
Bro. Buddy Martin - Ask
the Pastor
-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-
Lawrence "Buddy" Martin
email: Bro.Buddy@ChristianChallenge.org
Web: http://www.ChristianChallenge.org
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